Nokia unveils three new budget 'Asha' smartphone models

Nokia has lifted the lid on a trio of brand new 'Asha' smartphones; the 500, 502 and 503.

The entry-level devices are aimed at making smartphones an affordable and global product.

What's App will be available for the first time ever on Nokia's Asha range, with features like group chat and voice messaging included.

The aim of these devices is clearly to help return Nokia to the fore in emerging markets, where it has traditionally sold a large number of mobile devices.

Of the three phones, the Asha 503 is the only 3G capable device. The 502 and 503 phones both use 5-megapixel cameras and have a new-look camera user interface.

Unlike Nokia's Lumia smartphones, which traditionally feature a matte exterior color, these Asha handsets are wrapped in a "icy-clear exterior".

UK pricing for the phones is still to be announced. The Asha 500 with 2-megapixel camera will start at $69 in both single and dual-SIM versions. It will go on sale this quarter in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The Asha 502 will start at $89, and also goes on sale this quarter in the same locations. Finally, the Asha 503 will cost $99 and again ship this quarter.